Atlanta Journal Constitution: Freddi Gonzalez Is Atlanta Braves Next Manager

[Mitchell]

An article was just posted in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, saying that the new Atlanta Braves Manager, will be Freddi Gonzalez, the former Florida Marlins Manager, and a long time coach under Bobby Cox. According to the AJC, Gonzalez is supposed to be introduced as the Braves new manager, this Thursday, at a news conference.

Speculation about this, began just hours after the Braves were eliminated, from the playoffs by the Giants. At first, I was wondering whether the Braves would wait a bit, to allow the Cox retirement scenario, to settle. However, everyone has known Cox was going to retire, since last year, so there probably is no reason to wait.

This is probably a safe choice by the Braves, as Gonzalez knows the orginization well. In a way, it's like Deja Vu, as, after Cox returned to the Braves as the GM in 1985, after being fired as manager by Ted Turner in 1981, Cox took over as manager in June 1990, after drafting many of the players, during the late 80s, which eventually took the Braves to fourteen straight division titles, five NL Pennants, and a World Series title.

Hopefully a good choice by the Braves. They have apparently known about this for a while, as no other candidates were interviewed, or mentioned. Gonzalez can never "replace" Cox, but hopefully, Gonzalez, who is starting out with a decent roster, if healthy, can achieve success quickly, by winning at least a wild card, in his first year on the job.

Mitch

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

if its true , its a joke.So many more and better qualified guys than him. Looks like Braves will be rebuilding since many of its key guys are old and out the door

 

[Mitchell]

Flock, is it true, the AJC confirmed it.

How are the Braves "rebuilding"? Lowe won 15 games, and is there for another two years. Hudson won 17 games, and is there another two years. Tommy Hanson is young, if Jair Jurrgens returns, they have four solid starting pitchers.

Brian Mccann and Jason Heyward, their two cornerstones, are young. Martin Prado is a young budding star. Even at closer, the Braves have several options within the team. Jonny Venters pitched very well this year, as did Craig Kimbrel. Either one is capable of taking over for Billy Wagner in the closer's role.

This team won 91 games, got the wild card, and led the NL East for most of the season, with Chipper,. Prado, et al, injured for much of it.

While the Phillies should again win the NL East in 2011, the Braves certainly have a good shot for a high 80s, low 90s win season, and another wild card, and this is before they make any improvements. They definitely need one more power hitter, and may need one more starting pitcher, perhaps.

Assuming they can stay healthy, this will be a competitive team for at least the next few years.

Mitch

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Flock, is it true, the AJC confirmed it.

How are the Braves "rebuilding"? Lowe won 15 games, and is there for another two years. Hudson won 17 games, and is there another two years. Tommy Hanson is young, if Jair Jurrgens returns, they have four solid starting pitchers.

Brian Mccann and Jason Heyward, their two cornerstones, are young. Martin Prado is a young budding star. Even at closer, the Braves have several options within the team. Jonny Venters pitched very well this year, as did Craig Kimbrel. Either one is capable of taking over for Billy Wagner in the closer's role.

This team won 91 games, got the wild card, and led the NL East for most of the season, with Chipper,. Prado, et al, injured for much of it.

While the Phillies should again win the NL East in 2011, the Braves certainly have a good shot for a high 80s, low 90s win season, and another wild card, and this is before they make any improvements. They definitely need one more power hitter, and may need one more starting pitcher, perhaps.

Assuming they can stay healthy, this will be a competitive team for at least the next few years.

Mitch

hmmm...


Derek Lowe is 37 and damn near pitched his way out of the rotation earlier this season.

Chipper Jones is 38 and coming off knee surgery and isnt a given for 2011

Derek Lee is 35 and Troy Glaus is 34 . Oh, and Billy Wagner is 39 and if these replacemnents you mentioned at closer were interchangable the Braves wouldnt have needed to feel compelled to sign Wagner in the first place.

even Jair Jurrgens took a major step back this year.


McCann is a very good player and it looks like Prada could be too. Big fan of Heyward and he will be a great player in the future but even his production dropped off significantly as the season went on .

 

[Mitchell]

Lowe still won 15 games with a 4 ERA the last two years.

The Braves first baseman for 2011 will likely be Freddie Freeman. Glaus will be gone, so will Lee. As I said before, the Braves need one more power hitter.

I think Chipper will come back relatively healthy. Even if he hits.. 250, with 15 to 20 homers, and 70 plus RBIs, and plays in.. 120 to 130 games, that will work.

As I said, this is a solid team, that needs a few tweaks. They won 86 games last year, and 91 this year, with much of their team sidelined for half the season. The Phillies are the class of the NL, and maybe all of baseball, but this Braves team should definitely compete for a wild card in 2011.

Mitch

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Lowe still won 15 games with a 4 ERA the last two years.

The Braves first baseman for 2011 will likely be Freddie Freeman. Glaus will be gone, so will Lee. As I said before, the Braves need one more power hitter.

I think Chipper will come back relatively healthy. Even if he hits.. 250, with 15 to 20 homers, and 70 plus RBIs, and plays in.. 120 to 130 games, that will work.

As I said, this is a solid team, that needs a few tweaks. They won 86 games last year, and 91 this year, with much of their team sidelined for half the season. The Phillies are the class of the NL, and maybe all of baseball, but this Braves team should definitely compete for a wild card in 2011.

Mitch

Chipper Jones hasnt been relatively healthy in the last 5 years. Why would you think after ACL surgery that he would be relatively healthy? he doesn`t even know right now if he will play next year .

All I am saying is at the key positions like closer , 1st base,and 3rd base; you have more questions than answers.

 

[Mitchell]

Closer we have plenty of candidates. Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel. Lowe could even close, if we got another starting pitcher.

1st base should be Freddie Freeman's, as I think Lee and Glaus will go. As for third, hopefully Chipper will be healthy.

I like this team. Hopefully, they will have the same type of season next year,

Mitch